And dandelion and milfoil, weedy bunches
The cow, her tongue bedecked with white foam, munches.
The hands now bared, the lap she searches through;
In shade two dragon-flies sport, green of hue.
"The Magic Garden" (1888).
5. WALT WHITMAN.
Who art thou?—But an atom, quick with song.
What wilt thou?—Naught.—Where flee'st thou?—Back again
To her in whom for ages I had lain,
Ere wonder bore my dreaming soul along.
What see'st thou?—All, as merged amid one lay.
What creed fulfill'st thou?—Righteousness and toil.
Thy comrade?—All!—Whom meetest thou in broil?—
All men are right, to whomsoe'er they pray.
What rat'st thou highest? Boundless liberty!—
Thou fear'st not death?—'Tis life in other guise.—
What recks thee fame?—Less than an insect's drone.—
